Injured Md. state trooper awarded 'Trooper of the Year'

Jacqueline Kline was nominated for the award before her accident, from which she's still recovering

The Capital

PASADENA, Md. — As she recovers from the accident that put her in the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Unit, Maryland State Police Trooper Jacqueline Kline will find more than 500 cards — sent through an ad hoc local effort called Cards for Jackie. But she'll also have a highly unusual get-well present: the Trooper of the Year Award from the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.

On Oct. 6, Kline pulled over to assist another trooper who was performing a roadside sobriety check on Route 100 in Pasadena. While walking on the shoulder, she was struck by a car.

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Kline, 25, had joined the force just last year but already had a reputation as hardworking and highly motivated — one of those troopers who is always on hand to back up fellow law officers. Her supervisor had nominated her for the award before the accident, for the dogged pursuit that led to the arrest of a man who robbed a pregnant woman at Arundel Mills mall in February.

Kline was just one of the people from 27 public safety agencies, businesses, hospitals and other organizations honored by the chamber this week for going "above and beyond the call of duty." The ceremony was a reminder of how much our safety and well-being depend not just on agencies but on individual dedication that money can't buy.

Our best wishes to Kline for a speedy recovery. We need her back on the road.